8 . VIDEO

[onset]

Of course it wasn't enough to keep me locked up in my own apartment for an entire weekend while my - double went around making me seem like a total fool. Someone had to go ahead and expose me even further with those ridiculous photographs, isn't that right?

I should get a bloody phone. Then I won't have to randomly yell for help at people who can't hear me from my window.

[Someone isn't happy. Which is a stark contrast to the last network post made by the Other Peter. Go figure.]

If I said anything to you, or if you've - seen something, please keep it to yourself. I really don't want to know. At all. For once I actually want to believe that ignorance is bliss.

[HUFF. Pause. One more thing:]

Where the hell has everyone gone?

Comments

[mortemscintilla]

A prison run by zombies. Or so I've heard.

[ Yes. Really. ]

[onset]

I'm sorry. Did you say zombies?

[mortemscintilla]

I did.

It um. Seems to be a theme. [ Of the City? Or of most of Li and Peter's conversations? The world may never know. ]

[onset]

Yes, I... seem to remember zombies showing up at least once before.

[mortemscintilla]

[ Get ready. He has joyful news for you, Peter. ]

It's those same zombies.

They ... seem to be running a prison now. [ Because clearly no creatures make more efficient wardens than a bunch of decomposing corpses. ]

[ Well. At least they add to the overall grim-and-grisly ambience. ]

[onset]

Why would they - [abdha. Pause. He can feel his brain dissolving into syllables if he doesn't control himself.] Never mind. Not going to question it.

1/3

[mortemscintilla]

[ He knows the feeling, bro. He hates dead bodies too when he's not the one who murdered them. ]

[eiremagic]

I actually think they're ghouls.

[onset]

Difference being-?

[eiremagic]

I think zombies were once actually people.

[onset]

And ghouls weren't?

[obviously not.]

[eiremagic]

They're made up. By the City, yeah?

[onset]

Isn't... everything? Or - most of everything.

[monochrome_mirror]

To prison, for crimes they might or might not have committed.

What is your name?

[onset]

Goodness. This place never stops coming up with something new, does it.

Peter Chadwick. Who's asking?

[monochrome_mirror]

So I hear. My assessment of the City's guiding forces...continues to decline.

Shikieiki Yamaxanadu. I am new to the City and am still becoming acquainted with its strangeness.

[onset]

[Wow, that's... a big name. Let's not even attempt to butcher it.]

Ah. Well. Welcome, I suppose. Take that as you will.

[monochrome_mirror]

[She's pretty used to people avoiding her name. It's just a fact of life.]

Thank you. While the City appears hostile, those who live in it, so far, seem reasonably patient with those of us who are learning about it.

Were these photographs, and that double of yours, samples of the curses I've been hearing so much about?

[onset]

Yes, yes they were. And pretty tame samples, for how much trouble they were worth. Glad to hear people are being patient with newcomers, however.

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

Oh... That was your double? He was very charming.

[onset]

I'm sure he was. And I'm sure I don't want to hear a single thing about it.

[majorcrotchgrab]

How sad that you're different from him...

[onset]

I'm sorry, am I supposed to feel offended somehow?

[majorcrotchgrab]

No. I was just hoping you'd have the same... tastes as he did.

[onset]

Excuse me?